Chemistry & Biochemistry Department Manager (Hybrid)

University of California Merced; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 75,794 - 106,133; Full time

Job summary

The Chemistry & Biochemistry Department at University of California, Merced seeks a Department Manager to lead administrative operations in a hybrid work environment. This role supports budgeting, space planning, curriculum coordination, and graduate program administration under the department chair and Faculty Support Manager.

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of related experience in supervisory administrative roles, with strong communication and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent experience.
• 3 years of administrative support experience with supervision.
• Strong knowledge of budget, accounting and office processes.

Responsibilities

• Manages and coordinates department operations, budgeting and space planning.
• Oversees curriculum planning, program coordination and faculty recruitment logistics.
• Provides graduate program administration and staff leadership.
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive documents and liaises with Dean's Office.

Skills

Administrative experience

Budget management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Chemistry & Biochemistry Department Manager (Hybrid)

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is Step 1: $75,794.00 - Step 18: $106,133.04. The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is at a Step 1: $75,794/yr.

Job Closing Date

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: Hybrid, 3 days on-site.

Initial applicant review will begin on or around August 10th 2026. This posting will remain open position are filled.

These union positions are represented by the bargaining unit Clerical & Allied Services - CX Teamsters Local 2010.

CANRA (U13): Mandated Child Abuse Reporter

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About the Job

Reporting to the department chair for daily and long-term work direction and the Faculty Support Manager for process oversight, professional development, and administrative support. The Department Manager is responsible for department planning and program support, curriculum administrative support, financial management, facilities and space coordination, logistical support for faculty recruitment, department marketing efforts, and graduate program administration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative Operations:

• Manages, plans, and administers a wide range of operations to support the academic department.
• Operations include: ORED, Graduate Division, Undergraduate Division, Senate Offices, DFA and
• Academic Planning and Assessment, DFA budget and finance, department staff, facilities and space planning, student services, communications, and IT.
• Interfaces with Dean's office and central offices such as Academic Personnel, Procurement, Space, Web management, Facilities, IT, Registrar, and Human Resources.
• Manages daily administrative operations, functions as gatekeeper, participates in the development of effective systems for managing the flow of information within the department. This includes time sensitive issues and deadlines including: student concerns, petitions, articulation requests, APO and personnel matters, and various compliance requirements.
• The DM will have access to confidential documents like student records and graduate student transcripts and will maintain the appropriate privacy of such documents.

Curriculum Planning and Program Coordination:

• Facilitates delivery of instruction for the department and its academic programs, working closely with the chair, faculty, department staff, and Dean's office. Serves as a point of contact in curricular matters and ensures coordination between the department and the Dean's office. Monitors instructional budget performance and advises on changes to course offerings, instructor and TA assignments, and resource needs. Oversees hiring of TAs, readers, and other graduate students for each semester.
• Oversees the editing and updating of Department and Graduate Program information in various channels, including web presence.

Graduate Student Support:

• Provides administrative support to coordinate TA, TF, and GSR appointments; process graduate student fellowships and awards; hiring paperwork for ASEs with payroll services; process short work breaks for ASEs with APO and payroll services; TA training; Oral English Assessments with the English Language Institute, posting of TAs and TFs recruitments; coordinate FMLA leave requests with faculty, Department Chairs, Graduate Chairs, Dean's office, and graduate students; coordinate Employment Exceptions with faculty, Department Chairs, Graduate Division, Dean's office, APO, and graduate students; process separations of ASEs with Payroll Services; student employment and funding; briefs new Chairs on processes.

Staff Lead:

• Serves as a lead to administrative staff by coordinating day-to-day workflow, providing guidance on departmental processes, and supporting communication, marketing, event logistics, and budget tracking. Acts as a resource for team members, ensuring tasks are completed on schedule and in alignment with established priorities. Participates in onboarding and training of new staff. Offers input to the Faculty Support Manager on operational improvements. Does not have authority to hire, evaluate, or discipline staff.

Other areas and special projects:

• Development and public information: Manage gift administration, outreach efforts (e.g., seminars, web pages, public relations, student recruitment, department fundraising), and development campaigns (in collaboration with campus development efforts). Performs other duties as assigned, which may include participating in university-sponsored events, trainings, outreach activities, tabling events, and commencement-related activities.
• Service: As time permits, serve on divisional and campus-wide committees and task forces.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

AND

• 3 years of directly related, progressively responsible experience in an administrative support unit with experience leading or supervising the work of others, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. A masters degree is preferred, but may not substitute for the required years of experience.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS

• Thorough knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols and procedures for budget, accounting and fund management, and / or personnel management. (Preferred)
• Interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills.
• Knowledge of a variety of administrative operational activities such as event planning, fundraising tracking, website design, accounting and budgeting, and contracts and grants processes. (Preferred)
• Broad knowledge of common organization-specific and other computer application programs. (Preferred)
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong skills in short-term planning, analysis, problem-solving, and customer service.
• Demonstrated experience in financial and accounting systems, including modeling, forecasting, and planning. Experience locating, identifying, analyzing and synthesizing large quantities of data, identifying needs and developing recommendations. (Preferred)

Background Check

Background check required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy

The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu .

E-Verify

All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/